Listen to the Quiet is a New Women's Devotional Prayer Journal written by Shauna Hord. In this book Shauna Hord has brought communication to a new level as she invites us to Listen to the Quiet. Hearing God's voice in the quiet times is a blessed gift.

This six-month devotional journal is designed to focus on one thought per week, allowing you to explore the topic through a different lens every day. Daily scriptures, questions, songs, or quotes help you journal your cherished thoughts as you Listen to the Quiet.

Excerpt: Day 1 - Listen to the Quiet

“Turn that down please . . . let’s just listen to the quiet.” I tell my children this statement many times after a busy day. It can be any number of things that fill my mind to the point that I actually need the quiet. It calms me. Listening to something requires more energy than I want to give, and the quiet is always such a reward. For some, this comes naturally, but for others, this appreciation of quiet has to be developed.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

God spoke to the prophet Elijah in a still, small voice (I Kings 19:12). It was the quiet that opened the opportunity for God to talk and be heard. It’s easier to hear His voice when the competition for my attention is at its least. There is so much out there to busy our minds that we neglect the times when we need to listen for that still, small voice of the Lord.

Shauna and husband, Brian have been involved in Christian ministry for 20 years. They have three children and attend Winds of Pentecost, pastored by Tom Trimble. Shauna has faithfully served as a Worship Ministry Leader for 14 years and has been involved in producing and directing many dramatic presentations. As a homeschool Mom, she enjoys teaching her children and working as a piano instructor. Shauna is a gifted singer/ songwriter that committed her gifting to God to use them for His glory.

I believe myself to be adept at multi-tasking because I’m a list-maker. I usually begin my day by writing a list of things I need to accomplish. Barring any unforeseen emergencies, I can complete my agenda and make rice crispy treats, usually getting it all done an hour or two after I should’ve been in the bed. But I have to admit that my habits affect my children, sometimes negatively. The other day my daughter, Ashley, was in a panic because I forgot my grocery list. Franklin, my son, has a habit – a sometimes annoying habit – of forever asking, “What’s the plan?” Multi-tasking may seem like the scheduling answer for busy moms, but sometimes the side effects are detrimental to us and our families.

Women are the busiest people in America and consequently have evolved into experts at multitasking. Life requires more and more from us, even though you’d think technology would make life easier. We don’t have to grow and preserve our food – we can go out to eat at Cracker Barrel. We don’t have to make clothing for our families – we can go shopping at the mall. We don’t have to do laundry with a washboard and clothesline – we have Whirlpool energy efficient appliances. We don’t have to write letters – we can send a text message on our cell phones. We don’t have to clean house – we can hire a Merry Maid.

In spite of all of these handy shortcuts, the busyness of life keeps us running from daylight to dark and it is so easy to neglect ourselves emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. All of us fall into the trap of busyness at one time or another and we can all use a new perspective. Consider the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30), which is to love the Lord with your heart (emotionally), soul (spiritually), mind (mentally), and strength (physically). This directive is impossible to obey when we are overwhelmed with life. It is important for us to recognize our limitations and budget the resources that we have to work with so that we can set aside some of ourselves for God.

Living reflectively will help us prepare our hearts to be able to give these requirements to God. Preparation of the heart is the key to living a fulfilling life and minimizing busyness. According to Merriam – Webster, the word reflect means to think quietly and calmly. Reflection is essentially a heart examination. Introspection can be painful at times because it involves evaluating personal motives. Addressing motives (some of which are obscure) is a deep and personal exercise.

Reflection is not necessarily a prayer, but we have the ability to invite God to witness the state of our minds and hearts when we open them up for inspection. God wants to help us live reflectively in peace. This is why Apostle Paul was inspired to write a letter about living a reflective life, encouraging us to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Once we have conditioned ourselves to use our minds to think about these virtuous and praiseworthy things, and apply them to our lives, then we have permission to claim the promise of the peace of God!

What would we be willing to give to experience a life of peace, an escape from our busyness? What would we give to escape the feeling of being overwhelmed with life? So many of us have resigned ourselves to living a rat-race life with no respite. Today, God is offering you a chance to live reflectively. Reflective Bible study can literally change your life! The need to multi-task is gone and our efforts are blessed abundantly.